Attachment for letter-boxes.



"Nu. 702,5I0. I T Patented June I7, 5902 c. H. TRACY & F. c. GOULD.

ATTACHMENT FDR LETTER BOXE S.

(Application filed Nov. 30, 1900,)

(T10 Modal.)

UNiTED STATES P TENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. TRACY, OF BERKELEY, AND FRANK C. GOULD, OF ALAMEDA,

CALIFORNIA.

ATTACHMENT FoR LETTER-Boxes.

$PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 702,510, dated June 17, 1902.

Application filed November 30, 1900. Serial No. 88,247. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that we, CHARLES H. TRACY,

residing at Berkeley, and FRANK O. GOULD,

residing at Alameda,county of Alameda,State of California, citizens of the United States,

have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Attachments for Letter-Boxes; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionv of the same.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive attachment for letter-boxes by means of which a disinfectant may be introduced into the said letterbox, so as to impregnate and disinfect the mail-matter contained therein, thus permitting of the letters orv mail-matter being thoroughly fumigated or disinfected directly with-' I in the letter-box without causing mutilation of the letter or mail-matter, which is occasioned where the letter or mail-matteris cut or perforated in order to introducethe disinfecting material. after-described attachment the. mail matter is thoroughly disinfected prior to its removal from within the letter-box by the carrier and the spread of contagious diseases prevented, or at least liability thereof reduced to a minimum, which is a consideration in a thicklypopulated district or city.

In order to understand the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein Figure l is a front view in elevation of an ordinary letter-box with a disinfectant-holder secured thereto, the same being partly broken away; and Fig. 2 is a top plan'view of the holder. i

In the drawings the letter A is used to indicate an ordinary letter or mail box to which the disinfectant chamber or holder is attached. The disinfectant chamber or holder A maybe attached to the letter-box at'any suitable place. However, we prefer to attach the same to thebottomof the box A, as by so doing it will be out of the way. When so placed, the upper edge of the holder or chamber A bears against the bottom of the box, the shape of the holder or chamber being made to conform to that of the bottom of the box. By means of a screw-boltB passed By means of the'here'in through the chamber or holder the same is side or end is provided with 'a look I), by

means of which when closed it maybe'locked to the holder or chamber. By this means tamperingwith the interior of the holder is provided against.

' Within the holder or chamber A is fitted the tray 0, which tray serves tohold the disinfectant material. This tray may be composed of any suitable material, preferably such as is not afiected by the material placed lthereon,and.is.-slotted for a portion of its length, as shown, to enable the insertion of thesame into the chamber A without interference with its holding-screw.

Communication is established in the present case between the interior of the letter-box and the holder by means of a series of holes b in the bottom of the letter-box. These holes permit the vapor of the disinfectant to enter the interior of the letter-box, so'as to disinfect the mail-matter therein.

W hen it is desired to renew the disinfect! ing inateriahit is only required that the hinged side or'end be unlocked .and lowered, when the tray 0 may be rein'oved and the disinfectant material replenished.

It is obvious that the holder may be attached to any portion of the letter-box which will not interfere with the proper use thereof. Hence we do not wish to be understood as confining ourselves to the particular de- I scribed location for attachment of the same. It is also obvious that the holderl'may be formed integral with the letter-box.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure protection in by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with a mail-box provided with suitable openings leading to the exterior thereof,of a slotted tray adapted to hold disinfectant material adjacent said openings outside the box, and a screw passing through the slot in the tray and engaging the box to hold the tray in place, substantially as described.

22. In combination with a mail-box provided with openings in its bottom, a holder, means for securing the holder to the bottom over the openings therein, means permitting access to the interior of the holder and a lock for said means, substantially as described.

3. In combination with a mail-box provided with suitable openings in the body portion thereof, a holder, means for securing the holder to the surface of the body over the openings therein, a removable tray in said holder, and means for locking the tray within the holder, substantially as described.

4. In combination with a mail-box provided with suitable openings in the body thereof, a holder, a removable tray in said holder, and a screw passing through said holder from the outside thereof and engaging the box to secure the holder thereto, substantially as described.

5. In combination with a mail-box provided with suitable openings in the body thereof, a flanged holder, means for detachably securing the holder to the exterior of the box over the openings therein, a packing interposed between the surface of the box and the holder, and means for securing the holder to the box and forcing the flanges of said holder against the packing, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. In combination with a mail-box,a flanged holder adapted to receive disinfectant material, and means for detachably securing said holder upon the surface of the box, said box being provided with suitable inlets for fumes from the disinfectant material in the holder, substantially as described.

In witness whereof We have hereunto set our hands.

CHARLES H. TRACY. FRANK C. GOULD.

Witnesses:

N. A. ACKER, D. B. RICHARDS. 

